California Vacation 2012

The day after Christmas we loaded up and headed to California to visit all of Cory's family. First stop was Barry and Heather's house in Paso Robles. We always have so much fun with those cousins. Canon and Braxton were finally old enough to follow each other around and enjoy a double wagon ride.

 
Below is Ethan, Brock, Averi, and Kimber on their scooters. We are not use to all the hills here so it really adds a fun element to the outdoor play.

 Kelsey and Kimber                                              Brock and Ethan

 

Eventually we made our way to the Sanger homestead otherwise known as kid paradise. All the kids love to play out in the forest. Cory said they would be out there for hours as kids and never come in until Grandpa whistled.

Averi on the bike, Matix running, Lexi and Brock in the background

 Skywalk definitely lived up to all the hype. Everyone from Canon to Grandma had a lot of fun there.
Grandma running across the trampolines.          Cory with Matix in front and Canon behind.

 
Little Averi

 
Tater and Matix

 
Cory and Ethan

 
Lexi and Canon

 



Dodgeball fun for all. Cory, Canon, Matix, Ethan, and Grandma

 Grandma holding Abigail, Kindley, and Aunt Jill

 We were completely pooped when it was time to leave!

Merry Christmas 2012

    

Merry Christmas 2012
Santa brought electric scooters to all the four big kids and a car to Canon. They were all pretty excited.

 

  Password journal was at the top of Averi's list so her reaction to opening this present was well worthy of a picture.

  All the boys received Nerf foam swords from Santa. The battle has already begun. I wonder if we will be heading to the hospital sometime soon.
 
  Girls wanted doll clothes so thats what the receive. Seven outfits each along with a matching girl doll outfit should last for a little while.

Christmas Eve

We started a new tradition this year to go on a Christmas Eve Hike together as a family. Canon insisted on walking backward down the mountain.

 The kids all really enjoyed looking out over the city above "A" mountain. Averi was a bit nervous being up so high and really freaked out when any of the other kids came to close to the edge. She is so sensitive.

 

 Sitting on the Painted Yellow "A".

 We all had such a good time. I cherish moments like these when we truly experience the joy of being together as a family. The family organization is truly ordained of God and provides the perfect setting for us to learn and grow in the way necessary for us to return to our Father in Heaven.

 For their Christmas Eve present this year I made each of the kids a new fleece blanket. The smiles on their faces made the countless hours I spent on this project worth it. I love to make them happy! And they very very appreciative. Thank yous all around.

 One of the most special things we have done this Christmas is to make homemade sibling presents. I loved spending time with each child helping them make a present for one of their siblings. The kids all loved it as well. Canon "made" a bracelet for Averi, Matix made abracelet for Lexi, Averi made a minecraft T-shirt for Ethan, Lexi made a pair of Elmo pajama pants for Canon, and Ethan spent the most time with me making an angry birds stuffy for Matix. I wouldn't trade the hours I spent on this project for anything. It was so nice to have one on one time with each of my precious children. And they were so proud to give their gift to their siblings.

 Canon- modeling his new pajama pants below. He loved them. And Lexi did a really great job sewing them. She has a gift for such things.

Brinkerhoff Family Christmas Party 2012

 The Brinkerhoff Family Christmas get together is always a good time. Granma and Grandpa Nicoll joined us this year.

Angie, Grandma, Kami, and Lexi                               Ethan, Matix, and Grandpa

 Me and my handsome prince who takes very good care of me.

 It's always a packed house at this party and we wouldn't have it any other way!

 My two blue eyed boys.                      Grandma sure knew how to make Ethan happy. Pokemon cards!

 

 Guns, Money, and candy for all the little boys. The perfect storm.

 Canon sporting his guns!                                  Liv Palmer and Noah Fischbeck

 

 Grandma Brinkerhoff       Next year Krissy and Wade will have their own little bundle running around. Baby Trace Tanner is due in just a couple of weeks. We can't wait to meet him.

 
 Brian, Great Grandma and Grandpa Nicoll

 I gathered as many people as I could for one picture. Obviously many are missing. But from front to back we have: Row 1-Tara Row 2-Emma, Kash, Pace, Elsie, Heidi, Alyssa, Lexi Row 3-Spencer, Arys, Joey, Dissy, Danson, Kylee, Krissy Row 4 Shelly, Jill, Shari, Grandma, G Grandpa Nicoll holding Liv, Great Grandma Nicoll holding Nnoah, Jodee, Danny